A group of military veteran graduates stand during the commencement ceremony to be recognized for their military service.

For the second consecutive year, Saddleback College was named a Top Ten Community College in America by WalletHub, ranking 6th in the nation and 1st in California.  The ranking highlights the college’s strong academic programs, high graduation rates, and proven student outcomes.

Dr. Lonita Cordova, President of Saddleback College, stated, “This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to student success, innovation, and educational equity. Whether our students are preparing to transfer to top four-year universities or entering high-demand careers, Saddleback provides the foundation, resources, and community support needed to transform their futures and fuel our regional economy.”

For its national rankings, WalletHub analyzed 613 community colleges from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges.  The rankings were based on key measures including cost, quality of schooling, educational outcomes, career outcomes, and cost of attendance. 

See the full WalletHub Report here: Best & Worst Community Colleges in 2026.

Tagged As